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The elm leaf beetle Xanthogaleruca luteola Müller (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae), is a serious pest of elm (Ulmus spp.) throughout Iran. In the present study, Lethal and sublethal effects of neem, Achook^® containing 0.03% azadirachtin, were assessed on mortality, growth, larval weight and feeding deterrence as well as enzymatic and non-enzymatic activities of third instar larvae of the elm leaf beetle. LC₅₀ and LC₃₀ values of the third instar larvae 48 h post treatment were estimated to be 3.3 and 2.25 ppm respectively. Observations showed higher mortality, increase in larval duration, sterilization of adults, reduction in weight and feeding deterrence after LC₃₀ and LC₅₀ treatments. Biochemical analysis showed changes in the amounts of biochemical components in the treated larvae after 48 h. In the treated larvae, activity level of alanine aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, acid phosphatase and α-amylase as enzymatic components and urea and cholesterol as non-enzymatic ones changed significantly in LC₅₀ and LC₃₀ treatments. Aspartate aminotransferase, lactate dehydrogenase, protein, glycogen, and glucose levels decreased in these treatments. The activity level of detoxifying enzymes such as esterase A, esterase B and glutathione S-transferase were significantly affected. Hence, neem is suggested as a safe product that may have the potential for use as a bioinsecticide in integrated pest management of urbanelms where use of chemical insecticides are discouraged.

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This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of different levels of prebiotic GroBiotic®-A on some growth, hematological, biochemical and immunity parameters of cultured juvenile beluga (Hous huso). Four groups of beluga sturgeon with mean weight of 40.82± 5.8 g were raised for 56 days in fiberglass tanks (20 fish to each tank) and fed with different levels of GroBiotic®-A with concentrations of  0, 0.5, 1.0 and  2.0% (three replicates were used for each concentration). At the end of trial, some of the growth parameters were calculated and blood samples collected from 36 fish. Then some hematological, biochemical and immunity parameters in different groups were determined and compared with control group. Results showed that significant difference in some growth parameters, neutrophil percentage, haemoglobin (Hb), haematocrit (Hct) value and total protein (TP) in fish fed with 2.0% GroBiotic®-A were observed compared with control group (p<0.05), but no significant difference were observed in other hematological and biochemical parameters (p>0.05). The results suggest that administration of GroBiotic®-A at the level of 2.0% will be improvement some of the growth and hematological parameters and immune function of juvenile beluga. So, using of this supplement as growth promotor and immunostimulants was recommended in farmed beluga.

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The effects of alcoholic extract from pomegranate (Punica granatum) peel on some hematological and biochemical parameters, including RBC, Hb, Hct, MCV, MCH, MCHC, WBC, TP, CHO, GLU, LDL, HDL, Glb, TG, GOT, GPT, Alb, ALK, LDH, and lysozyme activity of common carp )Cyprinus carpio( fingerlings (11.73 ± 1.81g) were studied for a period of 75 days. Treatments included different concentrations of ethanol extract of pomegranate peel (Zero: control, 50, 150, 300 and 600 mg/kg of diet). At the end of experiment, all fish were sedated for morphometric measurement and blood sampling. Significant increases in Hb, Hct and RBC in groups 300 and 600 mg/kg of diet were observed (P<0.05). Total protein in groups 150, 300 and 600 mg/kg of diet showed a significant difference with other groups (P<0.05). Lysozyme activity was significantly enhanced in all diet containing pomegranate peel extract compared to the control group (P<0.05). In brief, the present study revealed an overall improvement in hematological parameters and lysozyme activities and total protein when 300 mg pomegranate peel extract was used in the diet.

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Aims: The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of dietary lemon peel (Citrus limon) essential oil on growth, hematological parameters, some of serum biochemical parameters and liver enzymes in rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) juveniles. Materials & Methods: For this purpose, 144 rainbow trouts with an average initial weight of 95.05 ± 0.41 g were randomly stocked in four treatments containing different levels of lemon peel essential oil ( 0 (control), 200, 400 and 600 mg lemon peel essential oil/kg diet) and fed for eight weeks. Findings: The results showed the highest growth factors in treatments of 400 and 600 mg lemon peel essential oil/kg diet (p<0.05). Inclusion of essential oil in diet increased hematological parameters as compared to the control except MCV, MCH, MCHC and increased serum biochemical parameters by contrast to the control except glucose, triglyseride and cortisol (p<0.05). liver enzymes of ALT and AST showed no significant differences among treatments containing essential oil and LDH exhibited  no significant differences among 400, 600 mg essential oil/kg diet and the control treatment (p>0.05), but ALP amount significantly increased in essential oil treatments in a comparison to the control (p<0.05). Conclusion: Overall, these results indicated using 400 mg essential oil in rainbow trout diet could improve growth, hematological and some serum biochemical parameters of rainbow trout without any negative effects on liver.

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In the present study, the effect of different levels of magnetized water on the biochemical parameters of rainbow trout was investigated. 120 rainbow trout with mean weight (150±7 gr) were introduced to 12 tanks (500 L). Magnetizers in different intensities including 1500, 2500 and 3500 Gauss (3 replicates per treatment) were installed at the entry of every tank. Experimental period was eight weeks. The blood sampling was done at the beginning and end of the study to evaluate the biochemical blood parameters like Glucose, Lysozyme, total protein, Cortisol, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and alkaline phosphatase (ALP). The results showed that the magnetized water had a significant effect on the biochemical parameters of the rainbow trout blood (P˂0.05). Totally, the liver enzymes (ALT, AST and ALP) decreased significantly (P˂0.05) with increasing of the magnetic intensity compared to the control treatment and in the case of lysozyme and total protein significantly increased (P˂0.05). The effect of magnetized water on stress-related parameters did not follow a specific pattern, however, the amount of glucose and cortisol in 2500- gauss treatment was 55.50±0.86 mg/dl and 11.65±0.08 ng/ml, respectively in which was decreased significantly (P˂0.05). In conclusion, some blood parameters of rainbow trout improved using different intensities of the magnetized water up to 2500 gauss.

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An investigation was conducted during 2012 and 2013 to study the fruit developmental stages pertaining to quality characteristics for fixation of maturity standards in three aonla cultivars viz., NA-6, NA-7 and NA-10 under rainfed conditions of Jammu subtropics, India. The results of the present investigation revealed that various physical and quality parameters were very useful in fixing maturity standards in aonla. Fruits were harvested at different maturity periods at weekly intervals and were evaluated for different physicochemical characteristics. It was observed that initially fruit growth was faster and slowed down between first week of November to last week of November and increased thereafter and followed a double sigmoid growth pattern in all the three aonla cultivars. Fruit weight of aonla ranged from 0.8 to 36.5 g in NA6, 0.93 to 36.55 g in NA7 and 0.54 to 32.55 g in NA10. Specific gravity did not show any specific trend at different maturity stages in all the cultivars. TSS, sugar, and TSS/acid ratio increased as the fruits reached toward maturity. Titratable acidity and chlorophyll content showed decreasing trend. In all cultivars, ascorbic acid increased during development and remained constant till fruits attained physiological maturity. The ideal time for harvesting of aonla was found to be the last week of December and first week of January depending on cultivar.

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Chickpea is an important pulse crop of India, but its productivity is quite low due to several biotic and abiotic stresses. Low seed vigor is one of the issues that occur due to changes in different biochemical properties during improper storage condition. To overcome the biochemical activity during storage, seed priming is a promising strategy. In the present study, two nanopriming agents viz., Zinc Oxide Nanoparticles (ZnONPs) and silver Nanoparticles (AgNPs) were evaluated for biochemical activity (Peroxidase activity, alpha amylase activity, total soluble sugar, total protein) of chickpea at 2, 4, 6 and 9 months storage period after priming for 1, 2, and 6 hours. Result showed increased activity of Peroxidase (POX) with increase of storage time, but the rate of increase was comparatively low when seeds were nanoprimed with ZnONPs. Similarly, alpha amylase activity and protein content were recorded highest and Total Soluble Sugar (TSS) was found lowest in ZnONPs primed seed. Out of the different priming times, 6 hrs was found to be the best at 9 months of storage with positive effect on biochemical parameters. Among the biotic stresses, disease caused by Fusarium oxysporum f.sp. ciceri has been considered as a destructive one, which causes yield loss up to 10% every year. To overcome the biotic stress and enhance the storage life, chickpea seeds were primed with ZnONPs and AgNPS at 100 ppm alone and in combination with each other. We found positive effect on seed germination (%), plant growth, and yield attributing parameter and negative effect on per disease incidence of F. oxysporum f.sp. ciceri.

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Elevated temperature negatively affects the production of bell pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) especially under North Indian plains where the temperature is above 40°C during summers. In the present study, the effect of exogenous application of Plant Growth Regulators (PGRs) viz. Salicylic Acid (SA) and 24-Epibrassinolide (EBR) on biochemical parameters and antioxidant system of bell pepper cv. Royal Wonder was evaluated. PGRs were applied exogenously 30, 60 and 90 Days After Transplantation (DAT). All the concentrations of PGRs i.e SA (0.10, 0.20, and 0.50 mM) and EBR (0.05, 0.10, and 0.20 µM) were effective in ameliorating the heat shock-induced effects, which enhanced thermotolerance in terms of increased proline content, soluble proteins, total phenols, total soluble sugars and starch content, improved antioxidant system (CAT, APX, POX, SOD and GR) with reduced lipid peroxidation and cellulase enzyme activity at high temperature, and, ultimately, improving total fruit yield. Application of 0.20 mM SA improved thermotolerance most efficiently at all growth stages, specifically when spray was done at 30 and 60 DAT. It resulted in a significant enhancement in biochemical parameters and antioxidant enzyme system as compared to the untreated control.